StarCraft Lore What If: Ulrezaj and Duran

[Sheliek]

Pre-StarCraft II lore implied heavily that Ulrezaj (http://starcraft.wikia.com/wiki/Ulrezaj) was experimenting on his Protoss servants (the Tal'darim of Aiur (http://starcraft.wikia.com/wiki/Tal%27darim_(Aiur))) and Zerg (http://starcraft.wikia.com/wiki/Ulrezaj's_Slave_Brood), and worked with Terran mercenary groups (http://starcraft.wikia.com/wiki/Schezar's_Scavengers) much like Duran (http://starcraft.wikia.com/wiki/Samir_Duran) and his clandestine mercenaries (http://starcraft.wikia.com/wiki/Clandestine_Mercenaries). The Dark Templar Saga explicitly demonstrates that Ulrezaj has genetically engineered... something (http://starcraft.wikia.com/wiki/Vat_creatures), with a very twisted psionic emanation. Due to the DTS's emphasis on setting up the lore of the Hybrid, it's easy to assume these vat creatures were Hybrid of some sort (though this was all discarded by Blizzard for whatever reason in the resulting StarCraft II storyline).

In addition, Ulrezaj (http://starcraft.wikia.com/wiki/Ulrezaj#Abilities) and Duran (http://starcraft.wikia.com/wiki/Samir_Duran_(StarCraft)#Abilities) were both capable of consuming their servants to regain energy.

So, Duran and Ulrezaj: both powerful psionic beings, who are experimenting on Zerg and Protoss to create Hybrid, working with Terran mercenary factions, able to sustain themselves by consuming minions, both claiming to serve an ancient master. Duran is a shapeshifter, as he claimed in Dark Origin (http://starcraft.wikia.com/wiki/Dark_Origin) - could Ulrezaj have been another of his personas? If so, how would that twist have impacted StarCraft II's story?

I'll elaborate on my thoughts in the replies later tonight. And, if this thread is somewhat successful I'll do other specific StarCraft Lore What If threads in the future.

[Visions of Khas]

There was an interview some years ago where the writers were questions specifically about Ulrezaj. It was confirmed that, no, Amon was not his master, but they refused to elaborate on that particular plot point.

That said, it's definitely an interesting take.

[Gradius]

I think Duran is Ulrezaj's master (not Amon). Problem solved. They're literally both making hybrids.

[ragnarok]

I think Duran is Ulrezaj's master (not Amon). Problem solved. They're literally both making hybrids.

If we go this route it'd imply that Duran never fully trusted Ulrezaj, and therefore refused to share the full picture with him. That would then explain why the Aiur Tal'darim didn't serve Amon, because they never knew of his existence (Duran didn't share this info)

[Turalyon]

With the power of retcon, it could be anything. Maybe Ulrezaj is a lesser Xel'Naga/shapeshifter like Duran but who went rogue and decided to do things his own way but in opposition to Duran. Who says that Duran has to be the only one?

[Mislagnissa]

Enslavers Redux wrote in a connection between them as part of its adaptation expansion.

[ragnarok]

With the power of retcon, it could be anything. Maybe Ulrezaj is a lesser Xel'Naga/shapeshifter like Duran but who went rogue and decided to do things his own way but in opposition to Duran. Who says that Duran has to be the only one?

Unlikely given what we heard of Ulrezaj's origins via Twilight